White House dog breed chosen

It looks like the Obamas have finally settled on a Portugese water hound as the next dog-in-residence at the White House. Apparently the search is now on for a rescue dog.

I wish them luck and I am sure that they will find a dog waiting to be rescued somewhere in the United States - but they would a made life a whole lot easier for themselves if they had chosen a greyhound!

Like Portugese water hounds, greyhounds also seem to be good for some people that have allergies to dogs. This seems to be because they have just the one coat.

There are thousands of greyhounds waiting to be rehomed. Click here for a starting point for UK rehoming kennels, there are many others as well. I'm still working on lists for the US & elsewhere in the world - do send me links if you want to be included and are not already.

If you have allergies, and want a dog, go visit your local kennels! You should be able to spend plenty of time with the dogs to see if they trigger your allergies. They'll have all ages of dog, and while your unlikely to get a very young puppy, you may be able to get a young dog - like my lovely Ava - who has all the bounce, energy and naughtiness of a puppy. If you want a more sedate dog, they'll be there too. You could choose an old age pensioner, or go for a placid five-year old.

One final hint - ask to look at the black dogs. They're often overlooked, because they are not as pretty as some of the others. And I find these guys are often the best dogs in the kennels. (Just don't tell blue-and-white Ava I said that, she'd never forgive me).